Dublin and Newgrange

[I'm back in the states now. Since I didn't have internet access my last few days in Ireland, here's the tail end of the trip.--DK]

As the bus pulled out of Galway on Friday, I saw a whole chunk of the city that I’d never noticed before. It’ll have to remain undiscovered by me for the time being. The bus ride itself was uneventful until we were nearing Dublin. Suddenly the driver let out a huge laugh, and he turned up the radio show that he’d been listening to so that the whole bus could hear it. It was some political comedy show that most of the passengers seemed to enjoy, but most of the humour went right over my head. It was all about political figures and parties that I’d never heard of, and a history of characters and follies that was clearly more than I knew about. It was funny just knowing I wasn’t in on the jokes.

After arriving in Dublin, I crashed in my hotel room. Internet access was €20 per day—nearly $30—and I decided it wasn’t worth it. I was able briefly to connect my wireless phone with my laptop through a Bluetooth connection—something I was proud of myself for figuring out, until I noticed that I’d run down my pay-as-you-go balance. Whoops. No more internet.

I was planning to meet childhood friend Sue Keats for dinner, but our plans changed to meeting her and her entourage for a trip to Newgrange the following day. There were eleven of us altogether, including her family and two other families that were friends with Sue’s family, one from Puerto Rico by way of Illinois, who now lived in Dublin, and one from England who were visiting Sue’s family while they’re in Ireland. We all met Saturday morning at the Dublin home of May and her family, and then drove in 3 cars to Newgrange, an ancient stone setting with meaning and history that's open to lots of interpretation.

Regardless of what it is or why it’s there, it was a beautiful drive to the site, lovely scenery, and a grand day to be out and about. Going into the actual enclosed space that is Newgrange was strictly limited to those without predispositions to claustrophobia (namely, everybody else but me). I took pictures outside.

Afterwards, we stopped briefly at a recommended pub for lunch, then left promptly when we found out they only offered “carver” meals, which apparently means that they let large chunks of meat sit for hours or days (interpolating the length of time depends on how much you hate carver lunches) until someone comes along to eat them. I’m glad I was with people who knew what was going on, because I’d never even heard of a carver meal before. The following day I noticed at least two pubs that offered it as I walked around Dublin.

We finally decided to go back to the Dublin house and walk to Jo Burgers, which had some pretty amazing burgers. I got an organically-grown beef with brie and pear ginger relish (just like mom used to make). It was very good.

A farewell to my friends new and old, a quick nap, and then dinner with my Dublin friend Ben and his husband Paul. Ben moved to Dublin a little over a year ago to be with Paul. They’re a very cute couple, and we had a lovely meal and conversation at Ben’s favorite restaurant in the Temple Bar area.

Feeling a bit under the weather (note to self: comfortable though they are, you’re allergic to down comforters), they dropped me off at my hotel room and I called it a night. Despite not feeling 100%, it was a spectacular day all around.

Newgrange

 

Susan and Jessie

A "folly" next to Newgrange

More killer sheep. They're everywhere.

Jo Burger

Ben, Paul, and me